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Chapter Two Aims and Objectives
2.1 Introduction
2.1.1 The research aim and objectives were set by the Scottish Executive and Glasgow City Council to meet their overall objective of providing an information resource for an incoming Inter Faith Liaison Officer.
2.1.2 The study was focussed on 7 faiths, represented in the Glasgow City area: Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. 24 The rationale for choosing these faiths was that they are members of the FOF. The research team were encouraged to explore as many traditions as possible within each faith grouping.
2.2 Research Aim
" The project aims to identify the key issues for inter faith work, consultation and community development work in Glasgow city." 25
2.2.1 The aim was further amplified by a series of 10 objectives. While the theme of community development is not explicitly targeted for exploration in the objectives, some material about it emerged in the course of discussion of other themes.
2.3 Objectives
2.3.1 The objectives were to identify and assess:
1. Numbers of people affiliated to different faith groups by geographical area and socio-economic characteristics
2. Views and aspirations of the Forum of Faiths and Scottish Inter Faith Council in relation to inter faith work and multi faith engagement with government
3. Current levels of engagement between government and faith groups in Glasgow
4. Levels of interest by faith groups to engage with government
5. Motivations for faith groups to engage with government
6. Barriers to faith groups engaging with government
7. Policy areas or local issues of interest to various faith groups
8. Perceptions, attitudes and behaviour related to the wider community and community events
9. Perceptions, attitudes and behaviours related to inter faith work and religious tolerance
10. Examples of good practice in inter faith work across the city or from elsewhere
2.3.2 The scope of the consultation was very broad. It covered statistical information, motivation for and barriers to engagement with government, policy issues, local needs, perceptions of attitudes to faith in the general population, religious tolerance, inter faith relationships and models of good practice. The breadth of coverage meant that no one area could be examined in depth. Nonetheless this research, which entailed direct interaction with representatives of a wide variety of faith groups who are active in Glasgow, represents a significant consultation exercise.
2.3.4 Findings related to the first objective of the research are presented in the statistical map of Glasgow in part two of this report. Findings related to all other objectives are given in part one of the report.
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